SEASIDE PARK – This Jersey Shore resort town not only had to contend with the disaster that was superstorm Sandy, but then a devastating fire less than one year later that obliterated its rebuilt boardwalk and setback its recovery.

Pushed north by strong winds, the Sept. 12, 2013 blaze destroyed dozens of businesses along an eight-block stretch in both towns before firefighters could stop it. Investigators later determined the initial ignition was the result of wiring — damaged in Sandy — under the boardwalk.

Just three months earlier, Gov. Chris Christie's wife, Mary Pat, had nailed down the final boardwalk plank of 28,000 boardwalk during a jubilant ceremony marking the completion of the boardwalk post-Sandy and NBC's "Today Show" had broadcast its entire show live not far from there on the Friday before Memorial Day weekend one year ago.

Seaside Park Mayor Robert Matthies told the Asbury Park Press last month that the unfinished section of the privately-owned boardwalk between Dupont and Porter avenues would be done by the official start of summer, June 21. A representative of the group that owns that portion of the boardwalk told the Press that the date would be closer to the July 4 holiday weekend.

Still, the borough appears — at least on paper — to be in strong shape. According to the Ocean County Board of Taxation, Seaside Park the total taxable real estate in town remains at $1.1 billion in 2014, off by just $43.1 million since before Sandy.

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